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Post by Felypsa on Feb 19, 2006 23:25:19 GMT -6
Ammolite followed slightly more sedately, but nevertheless enthusiastic in her manner. She listened in awe as Hawk described the home of the Defenders, and how luxurious it was. "Amazing," she murmured. "I wonder if some cave-demons from long ago had built it when they created the elaborate tunnel system now. That's really marvelous. I can't wait to see it." And of course she sincerely meant it. "You see? It's not so strange an idea to live Underground."[/color]
"I'm turning," Istariel called back to them, and indeed, the lights on her tail quivered as she headed into a left fork of the tunnel. "I think this passage might lead the closest to your cave system, Hawk, if any way does. Well, in any case, we'll find out what's here. Always a good thing to explore one's territory." She flashed a dazzling smile back at Hawk. She was still in her very alluring wolf form, apparently finding no reason to change out of it.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 19, 2006 23:32:00 GMT -6
Hawk turned followed Istariel around the corner. He returned the warm smile to her as they treaded down the tunnel. Soon however, the light from her tails wasn't the only thing illuminating the area. The flickering light of fires came into view as a familiar scent wafted into Hawk senses. The mascu smiled widely as they drew closer to the source of the flickering light. "I think that's it! I can smell my home. We're almost there." His veins coursed with anxiety to be within the vast system of caves. Quite suddenly the cramped tunnel began to become wider and more spacious. Small holes in the walls held little fires that burned with no apparent fuel. Chambers were on either side of the maine tunnel, pelts of deer and bear covered spots on the floors of said chambers. The excited mascu dashed ahead of the group. Quite suddenly he turned right into one of the caverns, obviously one of his own.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 19, 2006 23:39:54 GMT -6
"Great Dalia Below, who'd have thought?" Istariel gasped, looking round at the area they had entered. "So close to our kingdom - and yet, we never crossed paths!" She examined the everlasting fires with admiration, for it was some strong magic to maintain them even after the fall of the Defenders, their inhabitants. "If this had been the work of cave-demons, they're none I've ever known." She hurriedly followed Hawk to the right, wondering what new amazements awaited her.[/color]
The princess's awe, however, was nothing in comparison to Ammolite's. She stared everywhere, her eyes bright. She was trying to take in everything at once, but the place was beautiful and mysterious and brilliant all at once. On her back, Azarak was also admiring the well-made place. Eventually Ammolite wandered to the right, where Istariel and Hawk had already gone. "Hawk, this place is magnificent and astounding! And you lived here?"[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 19, 2006 23:47:02 GMT -6
Inside of Hawk's chambers, the light was less sharp then out in the halls. The stone indeed had veins of natural gold running throughout it's entirity. Fine arabian silk was pinned to the walls. Two large, fluffy bear pelts made up the area where he obviously slept. In the center of the cavern was a small pool of water. Yet Hawk was ignorant of the words the other's spoke for the moment. He went across the room, looking over several items. At last he found what he wanted. After moving his leg through the object, he turned about to smile at the others. A silver object was about his right foreleg. It's surface was polished smooth and simple looking. The metal parted to show the golden 'eye of ra' tattoo. " I know. This place has always been a great home. I myself am amazed at how close it is. Yet we never ventured too far into the cave systems." Slowly the mascu treaded over to the water hole. The clear waters reflected his joyous face as he looked down.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 19, 2006 23:56:00 GMT -6
Ammolite examined the item around Hawk's leg curiously. It seemed to fit very well on his leg, as if it belonged there, which, of course, it did. She moved over to the wall, examining the shimmering veins of gold running through them. "Beautiful..." she murmured.[/color]
Of course Azarak had to interrupt the emotional atmosphere. "It is a great place, and clearly you've come for that fancy bracelet there," he said to Hawk. "But I'd like to get moving on soon. First, however, let us lower the 'veils of deceit,' to again quote you. That artifact around your leg has some kind of special significance, else you wouldn't have wanted to come all the way over here for it. Care to share?"[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 20, 2006 0:05:57 GMT -6
Hawk smirked at Azarak. His lips parted to answer the question, but all that came out was a slight gasp of pain. The eye shaped tattoo began to glow brightly on his leg. Light began to shine off the surface of the silver artifact. Quite suddenly, the metal burst into flames. The fires melted the silver into more fires which flew off of Hawk quickly. As soon as the flames left the wolven, they dissapated and turned to ash.
As the dust-like particles fell to the floor, a blur of golden feathers shot forwards to Azarak. Yet at the last possible moment, the streak of color turned upwards and extended it's wings. It was a normal sized hawk. Slowly the raptor flew over to the mascu and landed atop his snout, looking into their surprised eyes. That sharp beak rapted over Hawk's forehead as a smooth voice spoke. "About time I was freed of that accursed prison. Ahh you must be the little pup I remember. I doubt you recall me." Hawk looked around the bird to gaze at the others, as if asking them for an answer to this new creature. After looking to them, he darted his gaze back to the bird on his snout. "I don't remember you at all.."
The bird clicked his beak before hopping to rest between Hawk's ears. "I knew it. Well to refresh your memory lad, my name is Phoebus. Ever remember that bird who would annoy the heck out of your father? Say..where is the old coot? And what the devil happened to all the sand?"
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 20, 2006 0:14:10 GMT -6
"Oh no, don't - " Ammolite began, as if to warn the new arrival away from the touchy subject. She winced, then stared at the hawk himself as if she just registed his existence. "Well, if that wasn't the strangest thing I've seen so far," she remarked to no one in particular. "And a lot of strange things have happened today. Actually, Azarak, he kind of reminds me of you, in a weird way. Isn't that bizarre?" She addressed Phoebus himself. "Hello, there. You wouldn't know me, but my name's Ammolite."[/color]
"I do not remind you of a bird-brain like him," Azarak snapped back to Ammolite. "'What happened to all the sand' he asks. I suppose you think it's vanished into thin air, eh? Or could it possibly be that we're somewhere else now?"[/color]
"A hawk, trapped inside a bracelet?" Istariel inquired. "That's most curious. But very stylish." She grinned in spite of the situation. "I'm Istariel, princess of the cave-demons yonder. The unpleasant lizard's name is Azarak, and he really means well, deep inside."[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 20, 2006 0:21:54 GMT -6
Hawk let his eyes close at the question from the bird on his head. He was silent for time before finally speaking. "I do remember you now. Always making wry remarks about my father's chewed ear. But my father is dead now. He was killed, as was everyone else in my family. We're far from home friend. Yet how did you get here?"
The bird of prey drooped slightly at the sorrowful news. At the question posed to him, he shifted slightly atop the mascu's cranium. "Well you see, I am your family's guardian. That bracelet is where I lie dormant untill I am needed the most." Phoebus blinked at Azarak with those fierce yellow eyes of his. It was almost as if a grin came across his sharp beak. "Be careful lizard breath. I've eaten far larger things than you for brekkers." His head swiveled over to look at both Ammolite and Istariel. Slowly he would bow to them, extending his wings slightly. "A pleasure to meet the two of you."
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 20, 2006 0:29:19 GMT -6
Ammolite sighed sadly as Hawk had to reiterate his sorrowful past, so soon after the last time. But she was gratified by Phoebus's presence - if it was true what he said about being Hawk's guardian. Something struck her as odd, though. If he only came when he was most needed, then why did he not prevent Hawk's death? Perhaps, she mused, Hawk did not have the bracelet nearby when it had happened. Still, why would their particular mission, which hardly related to Hawk at all, merit the presence of Hawk's family guardian? She shoved such thoughts aside and smiled back at the hawk. "The pleasure is all ours."[/color]
"Huh!" Azarak said, unimpressed by Phoebus's threat. "Well, I've met turtles quicker than you. Nevertheless. You're Hawk's guardian, so I assume that means something. I've been wrong in my assumptions before, however, as Hawk well knows. This chit-chat is getting tiresome anyhow," he added irritably. "Are we going to move on, Hawk? Your home is very nice, but if we've no other business here, I'd like us to keep going."[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 20, 2006 0:36:10 GMT -6
Hawk roughly shook his head to force the bird from him. He would nod to Azarak's request. "Yeah. Do you want to go back the way we came or go to the surface from the exit here?" His warm golden gaze moved over to Ammolite. He seemed to be holding his emotions up well this time. Yet his gaze was soft as he offered her a warm smile. However, his transe was cut short when Phoebus landed on his snout and roughly pecked him between the eyes.
Indeed the bird was forced to take a short flight. Yet he again landed on the mascu's snout and drove his razor sharp beak ever so softly between their eyes. "I say young one! Have you no manners? It would seem that you recieved your mother's good looks and your father's rudeness. Well that's obvious. Your mother was the sweetest thing ever while your father was a big brute. It's a wonder they ever got together. Fools and their passions inde-" His words were cut short as Hawk's paw playfully knocked the loud bird from his snout. Taking the hint, the creature grew silent and instead perched between the warrior's shoulder blades.
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 20, 2006 0:46:02 GMT -6
This time Istariel spoke, and she was obviously struggling to keep a straight face. Still, her voice held some tone of amusement. "I assume there's a quicker route to the Surface from here. If we go back to the tunnel we were in, and follow it up, I believe we'll emerge at the base of the mountains." She shook her head. "Of course, I haven't been up to the Surface myself, so perhaps someone else should lead. Ammolite, Azarak?"[/color]
"Of course," Ammolite said, unable to suppress an amused smile. She took a nice, long look at Hawk's room and the home of the Defenders before reluctantly exiting the chamber. She meant to fix the appearance of the place in her mind, and never forget its beauty. She turned in the passages until she found the tunnel they had come in by, and lingered by the threshold, waiting for Istariel and Hawk to catch up.[/color]
"That bird needs to talk less and think more," Azarak muttered in Ammolite's ear. "Oh glory, I can see this will be a long journey. But who knows? Maybe Phoebus will actually put some action behind his words and protect Hawk. From Istariel, for instance."[/color]
"What do you mean?" Ammolite asked, bewildered. "Why would Istariel be a threat to Hawk?"[/color]
Azarak laughed softly. "Only a threat depending on who's judging. She's got her eyes on him, though, you can just tell. And Istariel does everything she can to get what she wants, you know that."[/color]
Before Ammolite could muster up a reply to Azarak, Istariel appeared from Hawk's room. "Hurry up, Hawk," she called teasingly. "For one with such a swift name, you sure are slow." Her eyes danced with mirth.[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 20, 2006 0:52:46 GMT -6
Hawk shook his sinewy form to get the bird off of him. He snapped playfully at the childhood friend's tail before speaking. "Would you get off of me?!" The warrior looked over to Istariel before smiling at her and following her from the chambers. He too paused at the entrance of his room to commit it to memory. Words were spoken softly underneath his breath in a chant of some odd dialect. Yet before the words could be questioned, he began tracing the steps their group had made.
Chuckling deeply, the hawk flew over to Istariel. He landed softly upon her back and put his beak near her ear. When he spoke, his voice was a whisper so as to not hurt her hearing. "You don't mind if I hitch a ride on you do you? Hawk seems to be a little cranky. I think the young one hasn't had his nap today." Suddenly though he pulled back and let loose a laugh as Hawk exclained out to the mischievious bird. "I'm not a damn pup anymore Phoebus!"
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 20, 2006 17:20:32 GMT -6
Istariel chuckled lowly. "I suppose, Phoebus. But I want you to be aware that you are asking a lot of me." Despite her words, she seemed not to mind the hawk at all. It was not long before she had caught up to Ammolite and Azarak, who were waiting patiently at the threshold of the passage. "To the Surface," she announced boldly. "I am eager to see it. I have only heard tales so far."[/color]
Ammolite looked at her friend curiously, wondering if Azarak was just grasping at straws or if he had something. She shrugged, telling herself she didn't care on way or the other whether Istariel pursued Hawk. They had more important things to do. At Istariel's words she started to move forward into the passage, setting a brisk but not grueling pace. She too was eager to reach the Surface, surprisingly. The taste of the Underground was a little sour in her mouth, and she couldn't explain why. It was as beautiful and homelike as ever. So why was she hurrying to leave it all behind?[/color]
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Post by Monkey Monk on Feb 20, 2006 17:27:09 GMT -6
Hawk went to go and walk beside Ammolite. Yet when she took off so briskly, he paused and tilted his head. Had he done something to upset his friend. He began to walk slowly at the back of the group, his thoughts swirling around in his head. Those golden eyes of his glazed over as he followed the group. Things seemed odd to him, as if he was missing out on an important fact.
"Hurry up Hawk! Do you have tar in your joints or something?" Phoebus chuckled at his own remark. The bird fluffed up his feathers as he got more comfortable on Istariel's back. "You know, his grandfather was like that too. He'd sulk about walking all slow like. I used to pick up a piece of fruit of wood and drop it on his head. The old chap never did like it. But it sure as hell made him walk faster."
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Post by Felypsa on Feb 20, 2006 17:41:41 GMT -6
Istariel laughed, a melodious and tinkly sound. "You certainly have your methods of helping the ones you guard. Personally, I think your methods are quite unexpected. No wonder you were locked up in a bracelet for who knows how many years." She sidled up beside Hawk as she spoke. "A gemstone for your thoughts," she said. "You seem to be brooding."[/color]
Ammolite wondered if the new addition to their group would be more hindrance than help, as Azarak seemed to believe. She addressed Azarak, who was still on her back. "Azarak, what did you do back there, at Dalia's Lake? I hardly remember anything...it was all so strange. The last thing I recall was seeing silver flashes, and next thing I knew I was hacking up water on the shoreline."[/color]
"Some kind of ancient sorcery few people know today," the lizard answered. "Oh, and thanks very much for your participation. Glad you didn't die. You'll probably be needed later, anyhow. Still, thanks to you, we know where your father is...unfortunately, it's getting there that's the problem." He sighed. "This won't be easy. But then again, since when is life ever easy?"[/color]
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